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UNITED STATES OF AMEEICA. 



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christian ^ktatimi, 



— <H-"««>^»-«^— > - 



CHEISTIAN EDUCATION, 



%B €mMtit)i foit| §a|tism. 



By JOSHUA BATES, D. D 



n^ 



Written for the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society^ and 
approved by ihe Committee of Piiblication. 



BOSTON: 

MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, 
Depository, No. 13 Cornhill. , 



■3 



^-"2^6 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 18.55, 

By the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, 

in the Clerk's OflBce of the District Court of Massachusetts. 



Cfjrbtiait ^^utation. 



" Take this child away, and nurse it 
for me." Thus spake the daughter of 
Pharaoh concerning Moses, when she 
found that helpless infant in a little 
ark of bulrushes among the flags on 
the brink of the river Nile : and this 
she said to the mother of the child. 

The connected story is one of great 
interest, and full of instruction, histor- 
ical, moral, political and philosophical. 
But it is no part of mj object to ex- 
amine the narrative in detail, or to 
speak of its connection with civil his- 
tory, and its bearings on the civiliza- 
tion and destinies of the human race. 



8 



CHRISTIAN EDCCATION. 



It will better answer the purpose I 
hare in view, to confine my remarks to 
reflections sugsrested by the single inci- 
dent brought to view in this passage — 
the commitfinq of a helpless infant to 
his own :.. i/- for nurture. And the 
incident, occurring as it did under the 
special interposition of Divine Provi- 
dence, will surely justify me, by an 
easy accommodation, in treatbig on 
the subject of Christian nurture under 
parental authority ; or, in other words, 
in speaking of the duty and privilege 
— the rio:ht and oblisfation. devolved 
on parents by the Author of our being, 
of sustaining and educating their own 
children, or, in Scripture phrase, of 
bringing them up in the nurture and 
admonition of the Lord. ♦ 

^Mien a child is bom into the world, 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 9 

he is found in a state of absolute and 
entire dependence. Though he may 
not be abandoned to the mercies of the 
crocodile on the banks of the Nile, he 
is nevertheless exposed to ten thou- 
sand dangers without the power of 
self-preservation. He is weak and 
helpless ; unable to provide for 4iis 
own sustenance ; or, for a single day, 
to take care of himself, or even pre-' 
serve his life. He has, indeed, a com- 
plete physical organization, adapted to 
the purposes of life and action. For 
he is fearfully and wonderfully made. 
But before these purposes can be se- 
cured, the latent powers, which are to 
give motion to his organized frame, 
must be roused from their latent state, 
directed in their application, and 
strengthened by exercise. Before they 



10 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

can be made subservient to the purpo- 
ses of life, or the preservation of life 
itself, they must be developed and put 
in motion by an instrumentality and 
agency, not their own. 

Indeed, without this foreign agency, 
they must forever lie dormant; and 
th^ very organization, by which they 
were designed to be put in motion, 
must be dissolved and perish. The 
new-born child needs food for its sus- 
tenance and nourishment, which it 
cannot procure by its own exertions. 
Its food, therefore, must be furnished 
by another's hand. It needs protec- 
tion and defence which its own arm 
cannot give. For these, therefore, it 
must depend upon the arm of another. 
It needs, in a word, that nurture 
which is properly comprehended under 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 11 

the general head of physical education 
— such a treatment, as will develop 
its physical powers and give them all 
their energy — as will secure health 
and a vigorous constitution — as will 
give symmetry, and proportion and 
beauty, to the whole organized frame 
— fit it for the various purposes of life ; 
and, as far as depends on physical or- 
ganization, secure the highest degree 
of usefulness and enjoyment. 

Let it be remembered, then, that the 
first thing requisite to constitute the 
proper education of a child, relates to 
the body — the physical system — the 
preservation of life, the promotion of 
health, the development and perfection 
of the bodily powers ; indeed every 
thing denoted by the ordinary use of 
the common and comprehensive phrase, 



12 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

" physical education." And let it be 
remembered that a measure of this 
education is indispensable to the life, 
and health, and happiness of every 
child that cometh into the world — so 
indispensable, that without this, every 
other branch of Christian nurture must 
fail of its object — is, indeed, impracti- 
cable. Let it be remembered, there- 
fore, that on whomsoever the dutv and 
responsibility of the nurture of a child 
devolves, this branch of it must never 
be neglected. Whatever else is neg- 
lected, this must be carefully regarded 
— first and without failure. For the 
child, committed to your care for nur- 
ture, however, and by whatever author- 
ity it is entrusted to you, you must, if 
you would be faithful to your trust, 
pro\dde suitable food and raiment, and 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 13 

by proper regimen and judicious treat- 
ment, develop and exercise its bodily 
powers, so as best to preserve life and 
promote health — in a word, you must 
do what you can to give it a sound 
constitution, with habits of activity, 
prepared for all the purposes and exi- 
gencies of human life. 

But man is not a mere animal, en- 
dowed with bodily organs and animal 
life and propensities. He possesses 
likewise an intelligent nature — a mind, 
capable of reasoning and judging ; of 
acquiring and retaining knowledge — 
knowledge ever progressive and with- 
out any assignable limits. For the 
development of these intellectual pow- 
ers and the trainings of these faculties 
of the soul, however, appropriate cul- 
ture is necessary — no less necessary 



14 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

than that which is involved in physi- 
cal education. I add, therefore, that 
intellectual education is embraced in 
the proper nurture of a child ; and 
should be regarded by all on whom 
the duty devolves — must indeed be 
carefully regarded, if they w^ould be 
faithful to their trust and secure the 
object for which the little immortal 
and intellectual being was committed 
to their charge. 

When a child is born into the world, 
he is ignorant of the world into which 
he has entered. He has no experience 
— no knowledge. His mind has capa- 
cities — is susceptible of impressions 
and capable of acquiring knowledge. 
But he has every thing to learn. And 
although all nature is his teacher, and 
all things around him are subjected to 



CHBISTIAN EDUCATION. 15 

his observation and experience, he 
needs the aid of those who have gone 
before him, to direct his steps and 
point out to him the way of knowledge. 
He must be taught by those who have 
already learned what he desires to 
know; at least, he must be guided 
and assisted in his efforts to obtain 
knowledge by observation and experi- 
ence. His intellectual powers must 
be roused and stimulated, or they will 
remain sluggish and inactive; and 
when thus roused and stimulated, they 
must be directed, and sometimes re- 
strained, or they will run wild, and 
wander into regions of speculation and 
error, till they are bewildered and lost 
in the labyrinth of conjecture. 

As, however, the importance of in- 
tellectual education is generally admit- 



16 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

ted in our age and country, this branch 
of the subject, need not be pursued 
farther, except to add the single moni- 
tory remark, that all who have the 
care of children committed to them, 
are under obligation, to attend with 
watchful care, to this indispensable 
part of nurture. Let all such persons 
remember, that the intellectual powers 
of these little ones must be properly 
cultivated and duly exercised ; and that 
they, as their natural guardians, are 
bound to do it, or see that it is faith- 
fully done — to see that these children 
of their care are taught, in the best 
manner, those things which they need 
to know — to see that they have an 
education suited to their situation and 
circumstances in life ; one that will 
qualify them to be useful and happy 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 17 

in their appropriate sphere of action ; 
and, at the same time, adapted to fit 
them for the great end of their exist- 
ence, as immortal beings, capable of 
progressive improvement, and unlimit- 
ed advancement in knowledge. 

But, while it is not forgotten, that 
the proper education of a child in 
training him up to manhood, embraces 
both physical and intellectual culture, 
and that both these branches are in- 
dispensable to Christian nurture, it 
should be remembered, that there is 
another branch of education involved 
in the general term, nurture, never to 
be neglected by Christian educators. 
There is such a thing as moral and 
religious education ; which, though 
here mentioned last in point of order, 
is not least in point of dignity and im- 

2* 



18 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

portance — important, indispensably im- 
portant to complete the nurture of a 
child, and render him a useful and 
happy man — yes, by the blessing of 
heaven, useful in this world, and happy 
forever. 

AVhen a child is born into the world, 
he has (strictly speaking) no moral 
character. It is true, he was conceived 
in sin and brought forth in iniquity. 
But he is free from the guilt of actual 
transgression, as well as destitute of 
holiness. He is born of the flesh only; 
and therefore, till born again of the 
Spirit, destitute of spiritual life, the 
life of God in the soul. He has, in- 
deed, moral powers and propensities ; 
but the former] are dormant, and the 
latter depraved and perverse ; and he 
has entered a world full of temptations. 



:Itian eduoation. 19 



and the influence of active depravity. 
He needs, therefore, the regenerating 
influences of the Holy Spirit ; and he 
needs accordingly the sympathy and 
agency of those who can pray for him 
and watch over his opening mind and 
incipient steps, to show him the path 
of life and lead him in the way of 
holiness. He needs, in a word, a 
moral education, under a spiritual 
guide and instructor. He has, it is 
true, a natural conscience ; but, it is 
blind, till enlightened through the me- 
dium of the understanding. He is 
capable of emotion and feeling; but 
the sensibilities of his nature must be 
aroused, purified, and properly re- 
strained and directed; or they will 
either sleep or run wild in sin. He 
has an imagination able to form and 



20 CHRISTIAN EDUCAtlON. ' 

present scenes and conceptions, to 
move the feelings of the heart, and fix j 

the afiections of the soul ; but it must 
be disciplined and regulated by educa- 
tion, or it will present false views, and 
give a wrong bias to all the afiections, 
and a wrong direction to the whole 
course of life. 

To secure, then, the chief end of 
man's existence, which is to " glorify 
God and enjoy him forever," the child 
must receive a good moral and relig- 
ious education. The conscience, as has 
been said, must be enlightened through 
the medium of a cultivated understand- 
ing. The susceptibilities of the heart 
must be awakened, and guarded and 
directed by the force of truth. The 
imagination must be chastened and 
kept under the control of reason and 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 21 

conscience. The mind must be nobly 
furnished — the whole soul, indeed, 
must be imbued with divine truth — 
truth drawn from the word, and ap- 
plied, in answer to prayer, by the Spirit 
of God. 

It may be said by way of objection 
to these statements, that conscience, 
left to itself, will guide a child to duty, 
happiness and heaven. But facts, 
founded on observation and universal 
experience, answer this objection, and 
overthrow this fanciful theory. And 
the Scriptures plainly teach us, that 
while a good conscience, purified and 
enlightened, should be followed, con- 
science alone is always an unsafe guide 
— that it may be defiled, or seared as 
with a hot iron, so as to cease to 
prompt to action, or prompt only to 



22 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

sin — that it may be inactive, or act 
under the perverting influence of an 
obstinate will — that it may, therefore, 
through the blindness of the mind, the 
wildness of the imagination, or the 
hardness of the heart, fail entirely to 
perform its appropriate office-work, and 
guide the soul to holiness and heaven. 

Many, also, contend, in opposition 
to our doctrines, that religion is not a 
proper subject to be made a part of 
education — that children should be 
left to themselves, and allowed to fol- 
low their own inclinations, in directing 
their inquiries, forming their opinions, 
adopting their sentiments, and shap- 
ing their moral and religious course. 

But surrounded as they are in this 
world of sin and error, if they are not 
led by those, to whom their nurture is 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 23 

committed, to the word of God, and 
early taught the way of life, they will 
be led by the example and influence of 
the wicked and unbelieving, to embrace 
error, and form habits of sin; especially 
as the natural depravity and evil pro- 
pensities of their hearts easily fall in 
with the current of vice and folly, error 
and unbelief, which everywhere sur- 
round and allure them. 

Let those, therefore, to whom the 
nurture of children is especially com- 
mitted, remember the duty and import- 
ance of moral and religious education. 
Let them remember that if they do not 
teach these little ones, the wicked and 
unbelieving will become their teachers 
— that if these docile and susceptible 
pupils are not taught to walk in the 
way of life, they will be drawn into the 



24 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

vortex of iniquity and ruin — that if 
they are not led to the word of God, to 
the sanctuary, and the Sabbath school 
for instruction, on the subject of relig- 
ion, they will be led to the fountains 
of vice and infidelity — will hear and 
leam the language of blasphemy — will 
read works written for the purpose of 
undermining and perverting the word 
of God, and calculated to draw them 
away from his house, his ser\ice, and 
his salvation. Let them remember that 
if children are not brought under the 
instruction of the Great Teacher, sent 
from heaven, they will fall under the 
influence and instruction of him, who 
goeth about, like a roaring lion, seek- 
ing whom he may delude and destroy 
— that evil spirit, who worketh in the 
childi-en of disobedience. Let them. 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 25 

therefore, be persuaded, to begin early 
to present to the opening mmds of 
these little ones, those truths and con- 
siderations, which will keep them from 
the snares of the adversary of their 
souls; and let them strive to bring 
them up in the nurture and admoni- 
tion of the Lord. 

Thus evident is it, that children must 
be nurtured, in order to preserve their 
lives, secure their health, cultivate and 
enlighten their minds, and form their 
character ; so as to fit them for useful- 
ness and happiness, and enable them 
to accomplish the great end of their 
existence. Of course the duty, with 
the implied right and requisite author- 
ity, of bestowing this culture, must 
rest somewhere ; and the question is, 
where ? The answer must be that it 



26 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, 



properly belongs to parents; and in 
all ordinary cases should be exercised 
by them. 

In all ordinary cases, because there 
are cases and circumstances in which 
the work of training up children is 
with propriety, transferred, in part, or 
wholly to others. In some cases, in- 
deed, the duty with the necessary au- 
thority is devolved on brothers or sis- 
ters, or other relatives and friends, or 
even on strangers, by an act of God — 
by some special interposition of Divine 
Providence. Ordinarily, however, it 
rests on parents, as the natural guar- 
'dians of their own children. It might 
indeed, be inferred from the very na- 
ture and constitution of the human 
race, that such is the will of God, their 
Creator. Accordingly, he has implant- 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 



ed in the human bosom those instincts, 
sympathies, and parental affection, 
which operate more universally, more 
promptly, and with greater efficiency 
for the good of children, than all other 
causes and considerations; and with- 
out which, multitudes, born into the 
world, would soon perish by neglect — 
without which, indeed, the human race 
itself would soon be extinct. Now 
these natural affections were not given 
to parents in vain — they clearly indi- 
cate the will of Him' who constituted 
the relation between parents and chil- 
dren — making the latter dependent on 
the former, and qualifying the former 
to meet the claims and supply the 
wants of the latter. 

Let it not be objected, that there are 
exceptions to this general statement ; 



28 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

for these exceptions only establish the 
general rule. Those who >yant these 
affections are worse than infidels — are 
monsters, not men. They have become 
hardened and " past feeling," by a 
course of vice and iniquity, or their 
instincts have been perverted by deba- 
sing institutions and corrupt examples. 
These parental affections belong to all 
men naturally, and they lay the foun- 
dation for the mutual duties both of 
parents and children, wherever that 
relation exists. We may, therefore, 
safely infer the obligation for which we 
contend, from these indications of the 
Divine will — from this voice of the 
God of nature. By the same course of 
reasoning, we might establish and vin- 
dicate the right of parents to exercise 
the requisite authority. 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 29 

In accordance with these statements 
and this reasoning, the legislation of 
most civilized countries has recognized 
the natural right of parents to the gov- 
ernment and instruction of their chil- 
dren ; and sanctioned and enforced the 
obligation to support and educate 
them. 

Indeed, v^e may affirm this of all 
countries where free institutions have 
long prevailed — where civil govern- 
ment has been exercised in a manner 
consistent with the maintenance of 
civil liberty and the security of natural 
rights. And where the doctrines of 
tyranny and oppression, with the insti- 
tution of slavery in any of its forms, 
have found a place in civil govern- 
ments, one of the worst consequences 
has been the prostration of parental 

3* 



30 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

authority, the violation of parental in- 
stincts, the separation of parents from 
their children, and the necessary neg- 
lect of all healthful and salutary educa- 
tion. Under all free institutions, chil- 
dren are generally — and as to all the 
general purposes of education — com- 
mitted or rather left to the fostering 
care of their own parents. To them, 
the language of civil government, of the 
whole community, is, " take these chil- 
dren and nurse them for the state — 
bring them up for society, for useful- 
ness, for happiness — to act well their 
part and enjoy the blessings and privi- 
leges of citizens and good members of 
the community." 

But we are not left to infer the rights 
and obligations of parents in relation 
to the support and education of their 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 31 

children from the doctrines of natural 
religion and the enlightened opinions 
and just legislation of the best civil 
governments. The doctrine we incul- 
cate, both as to the right and the duty, 
rests on broader and firmer ground 
than human reasoning and human 
legislation. It is established by the 
voice of inspiration, by the authority 
of divine revelation. Under every dis- 
pensation of divine truth and divine 
grace — to the Patriarchs before the 
giving of the law — to the Jews under 
the law — and to Christians, living in 
these last days, the same general direc- 
tions are given, with permission to ex- 
ercise the same parental authority. 
Thus, concerning Abraham, it' is said 
by the Almighty, " For I know him, 
that he will command his children and 



32 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

his household after him ; and they shall 
keep the way of the Lord to do justice 
and judgment." Thus, when God had 
given the law by Moses, he directed 
him to say unto the people : " And the 
words which I command thee this day 
shall be in thy heart ; and thou shalt 
teach them diligently unto thy chil- 
dren ; and shalt talk of them, when 
thou sittest in thine house, and when 
thou walkest by the way, and when 
thou liest down, and when thou risest 
up." Thus too. an inspired apostle of 
our Lord, addressias: a Christian 
church, and through them all Christian 
parents in all ages of the church, hath 
said : '• And ye fathers, provoke not 
vour children to wrath, but brins: them 
up in the nurture and admonition of 
the Lord.'' Quotations to this same 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 38 

effect might easily be multiplied to any 
extent. But I forbear, relying on the 
recollection of every reader of the Bi- 
ble, for further proof, if required, of 
this point of duty and privilege. 

It may be added, however, that for 
the encouragement of parents in the 
discharge of this duty, God has been 
pleased to enter into covenant with 
believers in every age ; and promise 
them his blessing and assistance in 
training up their children according to 
his requirements. Thus he declared to 
Abraham, the father of the faithful, 
upon his receiving for himself and his 
household the seal of the righteousness 
of faith : "I will be a God to thee, 
and to thy seed," &c. 

Now this covenant with all its prom- 
ised blessings, entered into the legal 



34 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

dispensation ; and again it came out of 
that dispensation and entered into the 
Christian, with all its privileges and 
duties and promises. For saith the 
apostle Peter, addressing the converts 
on the day of Pentecost : " The prom- 
ise is to you and to your children." 
And the Apostle Paul, in confirmation 
of the same doctrine, saith in his Epis- 
tle to the Galatians, " This I say, that 
the covenant, which was confirmed 
before of God in Christ, the law which 
was four hundred and thirty years 
after, cannot disannul that it should 
make the promise of none effect." 

It may be added, that under each 
dispensation, God has been pleased to 
give a seal to his gracious covenant, to 
be applied by believers to their chil- 
dren as a token of their submission to 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 36 

its conditions and their reliance on its 
promises ; might acknowledge their 
dependence on divine mercy and sov- 
ereign grace ; and at the same time de- 
clare and strengthen their purposes of 
faithfully discharging their duty to 
their children and their covenant-keep- 
ing Godo Thus under the patriarchal 
dispensation, he appointed circumcision 
as this seal, directing Abraham as he 
would lay hold of the promises of this 
covenant, to affix this seal to himself 
and his household. Thus by divine 
direction, the same seal was used under 
the legal dispensation, as a test of obe- 
dience, and memento of duty and de- 
pendence. And thus, as has been inti- , 
mated, when this covenant of promise 
came out of the legal dispensation and 
entered into the Christian, it came with 



36 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

all its privileges and blessings, with 
enlarged privileges and extended prom- 
ises to all the children and the whole 
household of believers, male and female. 
But it came with a milder seal, substi- 
tuting baptism for circumcision. 

Hence we come to the true meaning 
and design of baptism. It is not, as 
some suppose, regeneration. It does 
not, as some have said, cleanse the 
soul, either of adults or infants. Nor 
is it a means of salvation by any direct 
connection between baptism with water 
and baptism by the Holy Ghost. But 
it is a seal of the covenant, — or, as the 
apostle says concerning circumcision, 
a " seal of the righteousness of faith," 
an act of obedience to a requirement 
as a condition of the annexed promise. 
When, therefore, a believer received 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 37 

baptism for himself, he complies with 
the spirit of the commission given to 
the apostles and their successors, *' to 
baptize and teach all nations ;" and he 
follows the example of Paul and the 
Eunuch, and the three thousand gath- 
ered at Jerusalem and converted on 
the day of Pentecost. When he pre- 
sents his infant children, and others 
under his care, authority, and instruc- 
tion, for the reception of the same seal, 
he complies with the same condition 
of the covenant of promise, and follows 
the example of the Jailor and Lydia, 
and Stephanas, consecrating his chil- 
dren and household to the Lord ; seek- 
ing for them the same blessings of the 
covenant, which he seeks for himself, 
and promising on his part to set his 
house in Christian order ; and relying 



OS CHRISTIAN EDUCATIOH. 



on dirine grace to bring up his chil- 
dren in the nnrtare and admonition of 
the Lord. In both cases, tiierefore, it 
requires a humble and believing heart, 
with a fall purpose of disdiarging the 
inTolred duties, as well as of relying 
on the promised blessings. 

With this view of the nature and 
design of Christian baptism, what a 
beautiful scene does the administration 
of this ordinance present for the con- 
templation of the beliexer. See that 
youth who was bom of heathen pa- 
rents, or, at least, of parents who 
hare neg^Lected to dedicate him to the 
Lord; — he is approaching the baptis- 
mal font, to consecrate himself to the 
Lord ; — ^he has been convinced of sru, 
and sought and found a Sayiour ; — and 
he is now, in the fece of an unbelieriog 



I 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 39 

world, about to profess his faith in 
that Saviour — to devote himself to the 
service of his covenant God and Re- 
deemer ; and, relying on his grace, to 
strive to live to his glory ! See those 
parents approaching. They have al- 
ready given themselves to God in an 
everlasting covenant ; and he has bless- 
ed them, and put into their hands, and 
committed to their nurture, a beloved 
child, — a child of their prayers and 
hopes ; and yet a helpless infant, cast 
if not upon the banks of the Nile, upon 
the tempestuous sea of life ; and they 
are about to acknowledge their obliga- 
tions, to train it up for God, and seek 
his grace according to covenant prom- 
ise, in the execution of the high trust 
and fulfillment of the pressing obliga- 
tion. See that little group approach- 



% 



40 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

ing the altar. It is composed of a 
father and a mother with their house- 
hold of little children. These parents 
have recently found the Saviour them- 
selves ; and they are bringing their 
little ones — oh, forbid them not ! — 
their beloved children to that Saviour, 
that he may lay his hands upon them 
and bless them too ; — they are coming 
to present them in the arms of faith, 
and with hearts warm with gratitude 
and love. They have laid hold of the 
covenant for themselves, and they wish 
to secure its promises for their chil- 
dren, by engaging to pray for them, 
and striving to bring them up in the 
nurture and admonition of the Lord. 
Look once more, and behold — the 
scene has been witnessed — that wid- 
owed mother slowly approaching the 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 41 

altar of God with an infant in her 
arms, and three little children by her 
side. God, in his mysterious provi- 
dence, has taken away her husband, 
and left to her sole care, three little 
ones, the objects of parental aifectioi^ 
But she is not alone ; her heavenly 
Father is with her ; God is her hus- 
band. She has found the throne of 
grace — has dedicated herself to the 
service of her God and Redeemer — ^has 
this day recognized her baptismal obli- 
gations by coming to the table of the 
Lord. She 7iow comes to obtain the 
baptismal seal for her children, and 
humbly claim for them and herself, not 
only the promised blessings of the ever= 
lasting covenant, but that special prom« 
ise of her covenant-keeping God to 
dying saints ; " Leave thy fatherless 



42 CHEISTIAN EDUCATION. 

children : I will preserve them alive ; 

* and let thy widows trust in me." 

Let parents make the application of 
the whole subject to themselves. "Will 
any who sustain this endearing and 
Responsible relation, neglect any part 
of the involved duty, and lose the 
benefit of the high privilege to them- 
selves and their children ? Let them, 
if they have not done it before, conse- 
crate their children to the Lord, and 

. seek his aid while they strive to bring 
them up in the way they should go. 
Do they hesitate on account of any 
doubts about the proper subjects of 
the ordinance of consecration ? Let 
them hesitate no longer, lest they lose 
the blessing by delay. Let them take 
some method to have their minds set- 
tled and established in the truth. Let 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 43 

them search the Scriptures with prayer, 
and they will find the path of duty. 
Do they doubt as to the mode of bap- 
tism ] Why, then, truly, they cannot 
— they must not act, till their doubts 
are removed. But they may be — must 
be removed. If they read the Acts of 
the Apostles, and ponder over every 
recorded case of apostolic baptism, 
they will find that, in many cases, a 
small quantity of water only could 
have been used, and that nothing more 
can, therefore, be necessary to the ac- 
ceptableness of the holy ordinance. 

Do they doubt whether infants are 
included in the promises of the cove- 
nant of grace ; and whether the seal of 
the covenant should be applied to them 
and to the other members of a house- 
hold, upon the faith of the head or 



44 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

united head of the family ? Let them 
read again, and pray again, as they 
read the records of apostolic usage, 
and they will find that, in every case, 
where a married believer was baptized 
by the apostles in presence of his fam- 
ily, his whole household were baptized 
with him, and that " straitway^'' and 
on the ground of his profession of faith 
in Christ. 

Those who have already dedicated 
their children to the Lord in baptism, 
should remember that the vows of God 
are upon them, and they cannot go 
back, and must not neglect the implied 
duty. It is true, the act of dedication 
does not create any new obligation to 
support and educate then* children, for 
the obligation grows out of the paren- 
tal relation, and rests on divine com- 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 45 

mand. But, the dedication is, on their 
part, an acknowledgment of the obli- 
gation, and a stimulant to the discharge 
of. the duty ; while the promise of the 
covenant thus sealed, furnishes the 
strongest encouragement and the high- 
est motives to faithfulness. 

They should, therefore, give all the 
diligence to train up their children in 
the nurture and admonition of the 
Lord ; exercise over them a watchful 
care; provide for them a suitable sup- 
port ; give them an appropriate edu- 
cation, physical, intellectual, moral and 
spiritual. And while they use the 
best means in their power to train them 
for happiness and usefulness, they 
should look to God for grace to aid 
them, and give efficiency to their 
efforts, remembering the promises of 



46 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 

his gracious covenant, and trusting in 
them vrithout reserve. Having pre- 
sented theu: children at the baptismal 
font, they should present them daily at 
the throne of grace, and bring them in 
the arms of faith to him who took 
up little childi'en, and blessed them. 
and declared of such is the khis^dom 
of heaven ; that he may daily bless 
them and their children, and prepare 
them for his kingdom. 

AMiile with aU patience and perse- 
verance they strive to perform their 
dutv, they should relv with all confi- 
dence on the faithfulness of a covenant- 
keepiQg God, obeying his commands 
and seeking his blessing in the way of 
his appomtment. So may they expect 
his favor and assistance in the educa- 
tion of their childi'en. So may they 



CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. 47 

hope, to see them growing up as olive 
plants around their table, and antici- 
pate the satisfaction of seeing them 
useful in life, and prepared for a happy 
death, and a glorious immortality. 

See, Israel's gentle Shepherd stand, 

With all engaging charms ; 
Hark ! how he calls the tender lambs, 

And folds them in his arms. 

Permit them to approach, he cries, 

Nor scorn their humble name ; 
For 'twas to bless such souls as these. 

The Lord of Angels came. 

We bring them. Lord, with thankful hea,rts. 

And yield them up to thee ; 
Joyful that we, ourselves, are thine, — 

Thine let our offspring be. 

If orphans they are left behind, 

Thy guardian care we trust ; 
That care shall heal our bleeding hearts, 

If weepmg o'er their dust. 



48 EARLY CONSKCKATION. 



EARLY CONSECRATION 

" Thou host the dew of thy youth. 

Infant ! upon the mother's breast, 

God gave thee life and limb, 
And we, whom thy first smile hast blest, 

Do yield that back to him — 
A beauteous flower, on which the dew 

Of love may freshly lie ; 
Content, if grace may thee renew. 

And fit thee for the sky. 

Child ! that to hours of busy play 

Does health and gladness bring, — 
That, tireless, seem'st all summer day, 

A bhthe bird on the wing — 
Thou surely art a gift, to bless 

The earth by sorrow trod. 
And yet thy wealth of happiness 

We consecrate to God. 

Youth ! that with careless step doth tread 
The flowery road of bliss, 



EARLY CONSECRATION. 49 

And shunning brighter worlds, art led ' 

To seek thy heaven in this. < 

We watch thy wayward way with pain, j 

And asking mightier care, I 

To guard thy inexperience, fain ; 

Would yield thee up in prayer. i 

. i 

Oh ! as we ponder o'er the path ( 

Which ye, alone^ must walk, }. 

And mark, when skies are mustering wrath, 

And storms together talk — 
Remembering He who safely guides 

The wreck, is round ye too, 
That He life's twihght kindly bides, 

To whom was given its dew. * 

We gather round his shielding love, 

And weep as we draw near ; 
There is no studded crown above, 

So precious as that tear. 
Yet, in his presence, words are weak. 

Desire is mighty, we 
Ask boon that Time can never speak. 

That means Eternity. 

Even angels look — such offering paid 

Where love intense has part — 
To see it on that altar laid, 

An anxious mother's heart: — 
5 



50 EARLY CONSECRATION. 

Acceptable to God who strung 

Each fme mysterious string ; 
And who, to move the thoughtless young, 

Doth touch the hidden spring. 

Tappan. 



god's law. 61 



GOD'S LAW. 

God has a Law. Under this great 
rule of right and wrong we are all 
placed. His right to command is abso- 
lute and perfect. 

The authority of the government in 
the country, of parents in the family, 
of the teacher in the school, is both 
reasonable and must be regarded and 
sustained. But the authority of God's 
law, and the obligations to obey it, are 
very far above these. You doubtless 
think, my young reader, that it is a bad 
thing to break the rules of the school. 
So it is. Those who do it find them- 
selves in trouble and disgrace. To dis- 
obey your parents is a very bad thing. 
There are many reasons why you 
should love and honor your parents. 



52 god's law. 



Their kindness to you, their labors and 
anxieties on your account, call for your 
warmest gratitude ; and these consid- 
erations enhance the guilt of disobedi- 
ence. But to fall under the sentence 
of the law for crime, — this is indeed 
dreadful. You look with horror on 
the case of one who has committed an 
act which forfeits his life to the \TLolated 
statutes of his country's code. Death 
in any circumstances, is a fearful thing; 
but you shrink with indescribable dread 
from the terrors and iofnominv of a 
public execution. 

But, dear young friend, is there 
nothing more terrible than even this ? 
And are you sure that vou are not in 
the evil case of being a condemned 
criminal ? Have you not broken God's 
law ] and has he not said, '' The soul 
that sinneth, it shall dieT' The soul — 
ves, the soid shall die ! Oh ! that 



god's law. 53 



death of the soul— that eternal death ! 
Perhaps you have read and heard much 
about God's law, but have you ever 
seriously mtended to obey it, or thought 
of the consequences of disobedience ? 
Have you found out that you are a 
sinner against God, condemned already, 
and exposed to the fearful doom of the 
transgressor 1 

The Saviour delivers all who trust in 
him, from the condemnation of this 
holy law. But if you have never felt 
your obligation to obey God's law, or 
the guilt of breaking it, then you have 
never truly trusted in him, and he is 
not ^our Saviour. 

These few lines are written with a 
desire to lead you to think of this sub- 
ject, — one of more importance to you 
than it is possible for words to express. 
Will you not take up your Bible to 
learn more of God's law, and of your 



54 god's law. 



own relations to it? For, if you forget 
and disregard the authority of the great 
Ruler, and do your own will instead of 
doing his, he will not forget your neg- 
lect and contempt of his commands. 
You must meet him at his tribunal of 
awful majesty hereafter, if you do not 
meet him in his oiffers of mercy now. 
Ponder now, dear youth, that great 
question, " What shall I do to be 
saved ? " 



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